The Tremont Nail Company was a

nail Nail or Nails may refer to: In biology * Nail (anatomy), toughened protective protein-keratin (known as alpha-keratin, also found in hair) at the end of an animal digit, such as fingernail * Nail (beak), a plate of hard horny tissue at the tip ...

manufacturing company located in

Wareham, Massachusetts Wareham ( ) is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 23,303. History Wareham was first settled in 1678 by Europeans as part of the towns of Plymouth and Rochester. It was ...

, from 1819 to 2006. The Tremont Nail brand was purchased by Acorn Manufacturing of

Mansfield, Massachusetts Mansfield is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the United States 2020 Census, the town population is 23,860. Mansfield is in the south-southwest suburbs of Boston and is also close to Providence, Rhode Island. The vill ...

, where it still produces cut nails and other products for restoration projects. They are the oldest manufacturer of steel cut nails in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

History

In the early 19th century, Parker Mills was constructed by shipwrights as a cotton mill. During the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States, United States of America and its Indigenous peoples of the Americas, indigenous allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom ...

, it was partially burned by the British. In 1819, another building was constructed on the site of the former mill by Isaac and Jared Pratt to manufacture nails. At this time, the Parker Mills Nail Company was born. The mill was partially destroyed by fire again in 1836. Reconstruction was completed in 1848 and the buildings haven't changed much since. The bell in the cupola in the original facility bears a date of 1851. The main mill is one of five buildings at the site over 100 years old. There are also 60 nail machines in the building, many over 125 years old. Until the 1920s, the mill was also powered by a water wheel which powered overhead shafting. In 1976, the buildings at the facility were added to the

Tremont Nail Factory District Tremont Nail Factory District is a historic district in Wareham, Massachusetts. It makes up the area occupied by the former Tremont Nail Company. In the early 19th century, Parker Mills was constructed by shipwrights as a cotton mill. During ...

The mill complex today

In 2006, the company moved to

, after being acquired by Acorn Manufacturing. The town of Wareham bought the complex in 2004 in what was called a risky gamble. In 2007, the town decided to invest in the upkeep of the mills so that the elements don't claim the structure.

References

External links

Official websiteTremont Nail Master Plan Committee
{{Coord, 41, 45, 59.45, N, 70, 43, 21.27, W, display=title Companies based in Plymouth County, Massachusetts Companies based in Massachusetts Manufacturing companies based in Massachusetts Mansfield, Massachusetts Wareham, Massachusetts Fastening tool manufacturers Manufacturing companies established in 1819 American companies established in 1819 Tool manufacturing companies of the United States

History

The mill complex today

See also

References

External links